512 Hebrews, Xiii. 8. [2344.

none of them is lost." He promised to his discon- solate disciples, that he would pour out his Spirit upon them ; and that the Comforter, whom he would send, should far more than compensate for the loss of his bodily presence : and how speedily did he per- form his promise ! Thus, in every succeeding age, have his people found him faithful. He has " given exceeding great and precious promises" to his Church, not one jot or tittle of which have ever failed. They who have rested on his word, have never been disappointed. Enthusiasts indeed, who have put their own vain conceits in the place of his word, and have presumed to call their own feelings or fancies by the sacred appellation of a promise, have often met with disappointments ; nor can they reasonably expect any thing else : but they who rest upon the clear promises of the Gospel, and wait for the accomplishment of them to their own souls, " shall not be ashamed or confounded world without end." Let any creature upon earth " seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," and shall he be left wholly destitute with respect to tempor-al comforts ? No : he perhaps may be severely tried for a season ; but ere long he shall have " all needful things added unto him." Let a sinner '' whose sins have been of a scarlet or crimson dye," make appli- cation to the Lord for mercy ; and shall he ever be cast out ? No, " in no wise," provided he come sim- ply trusting in the Saviour's righteousness. Let any seek deliverance from the snares of Satan, by whom he has been led captive at his will ; and shall he be left in bondage to his lusts 1 Most surely not, if he will rely on Him who has said, " Sin shall not have domi- nion over you, because ye are not under the law, but under grace." Now it may be, that many of you have been promising yourselves much spiritual, per- haps also some temporal, advantage, from your deceased minister : and behold ! in an instant, all your hopes are blasted : the creature, though so excellent, proves in this respect but a broken reed. But if you will look to Christ, you cannot raise your